Two-time Boston and New York Marathon champion Hellen Obiri will be the main attraction at the London Marathon on April 26, following the late withdrawal of former champion Peres Jepchirchir.
Race organisers confirmed that the former women ’s-only world record holder has pulled out of next week’s blockbuster showdown. “Reigning World Champion Peres Jepchirchir Ngeno has withdrawn from the 2026 London Marathon,” read part of the official statement.
Organisers further revealed that Jepchirchir has been battling an injury sustained late last year during her outing at the Valencia Marathon. “The 2024 London Marathon champion suffered a stress fracture after racing in the Valencia Marathon last December, an injury that delayed the start of her training block,” the statement added.
At the Valencia Marathon, Jepchirchir clocked 2:14:43 to finish second behind compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei, who stormed to victory in 2:14:00. Belgium’s Chloe Herbiet completed the podium in 2:20:38. The statement noted that the 2020 Olympic champion ran out of time in her bid to hit peak condition for London.
“The 32-year-old has now made the decision that she has not had enough time to prepare for the 2026 London Marathon and will instead focus on her recovery.”
“You’ll be missed, Peres, and we hope to see you soon,” the statement concluded. Jepchirchir boasts a formidable resume in the British capital.
She first hit the podium in 2023, clocking 2:18:38 to finish third behind the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan (2:18:33) and Ethiopia’s Alemu Megertu (2:18:37). She returned in 2024 with a statement run, surging to victory in a then women ’s-only world record of 2:16:16, outkicking Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (2:16:23) and Jepkosgei (2:16:24).
Her withdrawal comes hot on the heels of Hassan also pulling out of the race, stripping the contest of two of its biggest headliners. With the deck reshuffled, Kenya’s charge will now be spearheaded by Obiri, who makes her much-anticipated debut on the London course.
The 36-year-old has already signalled ominous form in 2026, lighting up the roads at the New York Half Marathon where she clocked 1:06:33 to outkick compatriot Sharon Lokedi (1:07:10) and Britain’s Megan Keith (1:07:13).
Though new to London, Obiri’s pedigree across the Abbott World Marathon Majors is beyond question. Her glittering resume includes back-to-back victories in Boston (2023, 2024) and triumphs in New York (2023, 2025), alongside runner-up finishes in Boston 2025 and New York 2024. She will not have it her own way, however.
Jepkosgei returns to familiar territory, eager to reclaim her London crown. The Kenyan star blazed to victory in 2021, clocking 2:17:43 ahead of Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58) and Ashete Bekere (2:18:18).
She has remained a consistent podium threat, finishing second in 2022 and 2025, and third in 2024. Lurking in the pack is defending champion Assefa, who lifted last year’s gong after timing 2:15:50, a women ‘s-only world record.
